West Nile virus making inroads into Western Washington

West Nile virus is now established in Eastern Washington and is making inroads into the Western Washington, according to the Washington State Department of Health.

There were only three confirmed human infections in the state this year, officials report.

One case was in King County, but that person had recently travelled to Western Washington and probably became infected there, health officials say.

The other two cases were in Yakima County. A fourth case was likely infected out-of-state.

But three dead birds in King County, one in Lewis, three in Pierce and one in Thurston county indicate that the virus is present and active in Western Washington.

To learn more:

• Visit the Washington State Department of Health’s West Nile virus page.
• Visit Public Health – Seattle & King County’s West Nile virus page.

Tags: Mosquitos, West Nile virus, WNV

Category: Infections, Public Health